Each of the two elite athletes to win the NBA MVP award for the Chicago Bulls had a special signature component in their game. For Michael Jordan, it was that deadly turnaround jumper. It was even deadlier when he added in the fade-away aspect and he seemed automatic from 14-20 feet with his j. It was a move kids all over Chicago, the USA, and the world use to mimic in their driveways.
For Derrick Rose, it’s his ability to get to and finish at the rim. It’s amazing, especially when you consider he’s only 6’3.” He’s able to consistently blow past people and score “in among the trees.” For much of the year, and especially in the playoffs, Rose has been Chicago’s “points in the paint.”
By Paul M. Banks
Like his advertisement says “fast don’t lie,” as Rose’s quickness gives him advantage over opposing defenders that sometimes tower up to 9″ taller than himself. It speaks to his discipline, desire and fearlessness that he is consistently willing to go where other NBA guards sometimes fear to tread.
Rose was only at Memphis for one year, but you can clearly see the impact of the “dribble-drive” offense on his game. That’s where he lives. When the Bulls needed game winning baskets versus the Indiana Pacers in round one, it was Rose-driving-to-the-hole time. Likewise with the greatest Chicago highlights in game one versus the Atlanta Hawks.
The game one loss surprised many people, but not Rose, who spoke highly of the ATL.
“You never know with that team, they could come out hot, and how they play and the way they play,” he said.
And of course, no Rose interview is complete without asking about the ankle.
“I should feel good, like I always do, getting a lot of treatment, massages, right now, I’m feeling alright.”
Rose, who became the first player since Steve Nash in 2005 to win the MVP award after not receiving any votes in the previous year’s balloting, led the Bulls to an NBA-best 62-20 mark. The third-year player averaged team highs of 25.0 points and 7.7 assists to go along with 4.1 rebounds. He became the seventh player in NBA history to average at least 25.0 points, 7.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds, joining Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
The All-Star guard made or assisted on at least half of the Bulls’ field goals in 26 games, the highest such total for any NBA player this season. And did we mention that he is the youngest player in history to win the award? Unseating Unseld, Wes.
Finally, C.J. Watson may be the Bulls Twitter star, but Derrick Rose doesn’t have an account. He explained why:
“I don’t need Twitter, it’s too much trouble, I don’t like telling people what I’m doing. I just got a Facebook page for my fans and that’s it,” Rose said.
A big reason Rose is so good is because he’s all business, and he lets his game do the tweeting for him. #AttackingTheRim #DrivingTheLane #FunToWatch
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and Facebook